Merkel cell cancer

Common Name(s)

Merkel cell cancer

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare type of skin cancer that usually appears as a single, painless, lump on sun-exposed skin. It is typically red or violet in color. It is considered fast-growing and can spread quickly to surrounding tissues, nearby lymph nodes, or more distant parts of the body. Merkel cell polyomavirus has been detected in about 80% of the tumors tested. It is thought that this virus can cause somatic mutations leading to MCC when the immune system is weakened. Other risk factors for developing MCC include ultraviolet radiation and being over 50 years of age. Treatment should begin early and depends on the location and size of the cancer, and the extent to which it has spread.

How do you compare to others with this condition?

Anonymously share and see how your answers compare with others with this condition while privately providing key pieces of information to medical researchers, disease advocacy groups, and others ONLY YOU select to help speed up cures and better alternatives.

Advocacy and Support Organizations

Condition Specific Organizations

Following organizations serve the condition "Merkel cell cancer" for support, advocacy or research.

There are currently no organizations listed in Disease InfoSearch that support this condition. Create a listing.

General Support Organizations

Recommended Apps

Anonymously share and see how your answers compare with others with this condition while privately providing key pieces of information to medical researchers, disease advocacy groups, and others ONLY YOU select to help speed up cures and better alternatives.

Finding the right clinical trial for Merkel cell cancer can be challenging. However, with TrialsFinder (which uses the Reg4ALL database and privacy controls by Private Access), you can permit researchers to let you know opportunities to consider - all without revealing your identity.

Scientific Literature

Articles from the PubMed Database

Research articles describe the outcome of a single study. They are the published results of original research.
The terms "Merkel cell cancer" returned 5 free, full-text research articles on human participants.
First 3 results:

Kasabach-Merritt syndrome is defined as a consumptive thrombocytopenia in the presence of a highly vascular tumor. Multiple treatment options, including transarterial embolization, have been described. We demonstrate that transarterial embolization is a viable option in the treatment ...

Reviews from the PubMed Database

Review articles summarize what is currently known about a disease. They discuss research previously published by others.
The terms "Merkel cell cancer" returned 3 free, full-text review articles on human participants.
First 3 results:

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is an aggressive skin malignancy with a high mortality rate and an increasing incidence. The recent discovery of Merkel cell polyomavirus has revolutionized our understanding of MCC pathogenesis. Viral oncoproteins appear to play a critical role in tumor ...

Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCV) is the first polyomavirus directly linked to human cancer, and its recent discovery helps to explain many of the enigmatic features of Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC). MCV is clonally integrated into MCC tumor cells, which then require continued MCV oncoprotein ...

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare malignant cutaneous tumor of the elderly with rapidly growing skin nodules found predominantly on sun-exposed areas of the body. The vast majority of patients present with localized disease, while up to 30% have regional lymph node metastases. ...

According to ClinicalTrials.gov there are currently 8 additional "open" studies for "Merkel cell cancer" (open studies are recruiting volunteers) and 30 "Merkel cell cancer" studies with "all" status. Visit ClinicalTrials.gov now to view them. Or alternatively, consider TrialsFinder for assistance:

Relief is when you and the right researcher find each other
Finding the right clinical trial for Merkel cell cancer can be challenging. However, with TrialsFinder (which uses the Reg4ALL database and privacy controls by Private Access), you can permit researchers to let you know opportunities to consider - all without revealing your identity.